U.K. to lower voting age from 18 to 16

 

U.K. to lower voting age from 18 to 16

The British government has announced a lowering of the voting age to 16. This is two years lower than the current age at which a person can cast their vote. This "seismic" change is part of a package of reforms that will give the electoral system greater integrity, while including more young people in the democratic process. The first chance 16- and 17-year-olds will have to exercise their right to vote will be in the UK's next general election. The government said: "We are modernizing our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century. By [extending] the vote to younger people, we are taking a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy."

There has been mixed reaction in Britain to the change. Supporters contend that 16-year-olds in Britain work and pay taxes, so they should be allowed to vote. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed. He said: "If you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on." The UK's deputy prime minister said: "Young people already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military. It's only right they can have a say on the issues that affect them." However, there are many critics. Some point to the fact that 16-year-olds cannot drink alcohol, buy a lottery ticket, or get married without their parents' consent, yet they will be able to vote.


1. Students A strongly believe people should not be allowed to vote until they are 20; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Explain.

2. AGE: From what age should people be allowed to do these things? Why? Should there be an upper age limit at which people can longer do these things? Complete this table

 

Age

Why

Upper Limit

Vote

 

 

 

Drive

 

 

 

Get married

 

 

 

Become president

 

 

 

Get a housing loan

 

 

 

Retirement

 

 

 


3. YOUTH ISSUES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most pressing issues for 16-year-olds at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

·         Anxiety about global crises

·         Stress from studying

·         Social media likes

·         Bullying

·         Peer pressure

·         The future

·         Having things

·         Money

 

4.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

cast

a.

About different age groups in a family or society.

      2.

seismic

b.

Very big or important.

      3.

package

c.

Being honest and doing the right thing.

      4.

integrity

d.

Put something somewhere, like a vote.

      5.

exercise

e.

Being involved or interested in something.

      6.

generational

f.

A group of things put together.

      7.

engagement

g.

Use a right or power.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

mixed reaction

h.

Working in a job, like in the army.

      9.

contend

i.

Help by giving something (like time, work, or money).

      10.

contribute

j.

People who say what they think is wrong with something.

      11.

serving

k.

When some people like something and some people do not.

      12.

military

l.

Say or believe something is true.

      13.

critics

m.

Saying yes to something or giving permission.

      14.

consent

n.

The army and other people who protect a country.

 

5. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. announced
  2. seismic
  3. integrity
  4. fit
  5. engagement
  6. reaction
  7. package
  8. opportunity
  9. military
  10. consent
  1. soundness
  2. collection
  3. declared
  4. army
  5. significant
  6. response
  7. participation
  8. agreement
  9. suitable

6. Debate Focus Questions:

1.    What policies would likely pass if 16-year-olds could vote? (E.g., climate laws, gender identity recognition, free public transport)

2.    Could younger voters make politics more progressive or idealistic?

3.    How might “woke” ideologies influence new laws if younger generations dominate the vote?

4.    Is it risky to allow emotionally driven political engagement from teenagers?

5.    Would lowering the voting age actually change election outcomes?

✅ Good Points to Mention (Pros):

  • Increased civic engagement among youth
  • More representation for future-oriented issues (climate, education)
  • Teenagers are affected by political decisions (e.g., tuition, NHS)
  • Precedents in Scotland (votes at 16 in Scottish Parliament elections)

❌ Counterarguments (Cons):

  • Lack of life experience and emotional maturity
  • Susceptibility to ideological influence (from schools, media)
  • Could result in populist or reactionary policies
  • Politicization of education systems

7.Discussion - Voting Age

  1. What did you think when you read the headline?
  2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'vote'?
  3. What do you think of voting?
  4. Should we tell people who we vote for?
  5. From what age should people be allowed to vote?
  6. Is it more important for a 16-year-old or 90-year-old to vote?
  7. What do you think of your country's electoral system?
  8. What is democracy and how important is it?
  9. How much faith do you have in democracy?
  10. How much faith do you have in your country's government?
  1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
  2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'election'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. How important is voting?
  5. Should voting be compulsory?
  6. Who has better decision-making when voting, a 16- or 90-year-old?
  7. Should anyone who pays taxes be allowed to vote?
  8. From what age should someone be allowed to get married?
  9. What issues do you think are important to 16-year-olds?
  10. What questions would you like to ask a 16-year-old about voting?

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